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School of Music

BM in Music Education

This degree program prepares students for careers in PK-12 school-based music teaching. Students completing this course of study are prepared to apply for state teacher certification in Maine and other states. Certification applications must be accompanied by scores from the Praxis I national teacher exam that must be successfully completed during the sophomore year, and the Praxis II exam that must be successfully completed prior to Professional Internship. Students are advised to meet with their advisor if they plan to seek teacher certification in states other than Maine.

As the field of music education requires a broad range of skills and competencies, students are required to complete substantial work in music theory, ear training, musicology, applied music, conducting, chamber music and ensembles, in addition to music education methods courses, field work and teaching internships. The music education curriculum reflects the full range of knowledge and skills required in current practice. All students complete a nearly identical curriculum with adjustments made to reflect the unique requirements of individualized areas of applied study (vocal, instrumental, piano, or guitar) identified during the audition process.

Program Requirements

All students are reminded that, in addition to meeting School requirements for a major leading to a baccalaureate degree, they must also meet the University's General Education requirements. The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 120.

Music CORE 33 credits

Credits

Music Theory and Aural Skills (16)

MUT 100 Music Theory and Aural Skills 1

4

MUT 101 Music Theory and Aural Skills 2

4

MUT 200 Music Theory and Aural Skills 3

4

MUT 201 Music Theory and Aural Skills 4

4

Music History (9)

MUH 105 Multi-Cultural Perspectives of American Popular Music and Jazz

*One additional semester in any ensemble: chorale, chamber singers, concert band or orchestra)

0.5

Chamber music (1 semester)

0.5

Composer's Ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

Requirements for students studying applied composition

Composer's Ensemble (7 semesters)

3.5

Chorale or Chamber Singers (2 semesters)

1

Concert Band or Orchestra (2 semesters)*

1

Chamber music (1 semester)

0.5

Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

Requirements for students studying applied jazz

Jazz Ensembles (7 semesters)

3.5

Chorale or Chamber Singers (2 semesters)

1

Concert Band or Orchestra (2 semesters)*

1

Chamber music (1 semester)

0.5

Composer's Ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

Large Jazz ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

*Note: Students without instrumental experience may substitute MUE 112 Percussion Techniques for one semester of Concert Band or Orchestra. Students are expected to audition for Concert Band or Orchestra each semester and may be placed in the percussion section of either ensemble following successful completion of MUE 112 and successful audition. Guitarists will complete three additional semesters in any ensemble: chorale, chamber singers, concert band, or orchestra.

Additional Music Courses 42.5 credits

MUE 110 ProSeminar I

1

MUE 150 ProSeminar II

1

MUE 210 ProSeminar III

1

MUE 250 ProSeminar IV

1

MUE 310 ProSeminar V/Teaching Internship

3

MUE 350 ProSeminar VI

1

MUE 410 ProSeminar VII

1

MUE 450 Professional Internship

8

MUE 451 Professional Portfolio ( see above; should count in general education)

4

MUE 111 Professional Foundation for Music Education

2

MUE 112 Percussion Techniques

1

MUE 211 Teaching Creative and Critical Listening PK-12

2

MUE 251 Teaching Vocal Music PK-12

3

MUE 253 Brass Techniques

1

MUE 311 Research and Evaluation in Music Education

2

MUE 312 Teaching Instrumental Music PK-12

2

MUE 314 Guitar Techniques

1

MUE 351 Teaching Improvisation in Music PK-12

2

MUE 352 String Techniques

1

MUE 353 Woodwind Techniques

1

MUE 411 Teaching Music Composition PK-12

2

Chamber Music (1 semester)

0.5

See Ensembles, above

Jazz Ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

See Ensembles, above

Composer's Ensemble (1 semester)

0.5

See Ensembles, above

Additional Non-music Courses 6 credits

HRD/SBS 200 Multicultural Human Development

3

SED 335 Students with Exceptionalities in General Education

3

Admission to Upper Division in Music Education

Upper division music courses are typically designated by course numbers in the 300 or 400 range.

In order to enroll in upper division music courses, a music student must:

*Note: These standards are in effect for all MUS, MUE, MUH, MUT, and MUP courses in both the lower and upper divisions of the program.

In March of the sophomore year students will complete the application for admission to Upper Division. This application and review are part of the advising process within ProSeminar IV. Students who fail to meet the above requirements may not enroll in upper division courses.

Senior recital requirements: Presentation of a solo recital in the senior year (or junior year with special permission). The recital contains 30 minutes of music including at least 25 minutes of solo performance; the remainder may be chamber music. Normally the program will be shared with another MUE senior or MUP junior recital. Programs exceeding 30 minutes of music require the special approval of the faculty. A student may not perform the required recital during the semester of Professional Internship.

The Professional Internship

This is a field-based student teaching experience. Students are placed with music educator mentors on a full-time basis in order to gain multiple guided and independent teaching experiences. In preparation for the Internship, students in music education must:

Successfully complete all required coursework prior to the Internship;

Successfully complete all performance juries and the recital prior to the Internship;

Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above;

Submit passing scores on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills test (must be completed by the sophomore year);

The Capstone project for Music Education

This is the Professional Portfolio. The Professional Portfolio provides students with an opportunity to reflect upon their own growth and development in the teaching profession. The portfolio will include materials that demonstrate fulfillment of the USM Teacher Certification Standards. Upon completion, the Professional Portfolio is a document suitable for presentation and future reference.

The Professional Education Council, comprised of deans, department chairs, faculty, and school representatives from all programs offering initial teacher preparation, is the governing body for program review and evaluation for all initial-level teacher education programs at USM.

For the purposes of field placements in schools during the educational cluster and internship year, students are required to complete and show documentation of the fingerprinting process outlined by the Maine Department of Education: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/

All students must formally declare their entry into a teacher certification concentration by completing the declaration procedures found on the Office of Educator Preparation web site at http://usm.maine.edu/educatorpreparation. Passing Praxis I scores, subscription to Tk20, and two recommendation forms are necessary to complete the declaration process.

Tk20 Subscription:

All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an Educator Preparation program or pathway in USM summer 2013 or later are required to subscribe to the Tk20 online data management system. The subscription allows students to use the system for assessment, advisement, field-experience and career portfolio management. The subscription fee of $103 covers some of the expenses related to the administration and assessment of the program. For loan purposes, it will be eligible for consideration as part of costs. The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student during the first semester of program or pathway matriculation (check with individual programs and pathways for specific subscription timelines). Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation web site: http://usm.maine.edu/educatorpreparation

Please note Professional Education Council Policy: In order for USM’s Education Preparation Unit program completers to be recommended by the institution to the state for certification or licensure, the candidate must provide evidence of meeting all certification requirements including proficiency on the standards relevant to his/her state approved professional program and this evidence must be compiled and assessed with in the context of the Unit’s data management system (i.e., Tk20).

Admission Information

Admission to the Music Education degree is based on the following criteria:

Performance audition on the applicant's major instrument.

Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.

A diagnostic written test of music fundamentals, including intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.